Great question — here are practical activities you can do during a hotel stay that genuinely immerse you in local culture, with tips to make each one authentic and respectful.

1. Book a locally run cooking class (or ask the hotel to arrange one)

• What to look for: classes taught by neighborhood cooks or small family-run operations, or at nearby markets.
• How it immerses you: food, ingredients, and techniques reveal history and daily life.
• Tip: visit the market with the instructor, ask about seasonal ingredients and food stories.

2. Take part in cultural workshops hosted on-site

• Examples: craft-making (weaving, pottery), traditional music/dance, tea or coffee ceremonies.
• How to do it right: choose hotel-run programs that partner with local artisans rather than commodified tourist shows.
• Tip: ask who the instructor is and their community ties.

3. Arrange a homestay-style experience through the hotel

• Many hotels offer “insider stays” or visits to local homes/family dinners.
• Immersion: home cooking, everyday conversation, family traditions.
• Tip: accept invitations with cultural sensitivity (follow table manners, gift customs).

4. Join guided neighborhood walks led by local residents

• Focus on walking with neighborhood historians, shopkeepers, or community guides rather than large tour operators.
• Immersion: small details — street food stalls, local markets, historic anecdotes — that big tours miss.
• Tip: ask hotel concierge for community-led or NGO-affiliated guides.

5. Volunteer locally for a few hours

• Options: teaching English, community garden, beach clean-up, cultural preservation projects.
• Immersion: working alongside locals gives perspective on everyday challenges and values.
• Tip: choose reputable local nonprofits and avoid “voluntourism” that harms communities.

6. Eat at family-run restaurants and street stalls recommended by hotel staff

• Ask for neighborhood favorites, not just hotel partners.
• Immersion: local flavors, dining rhythms, social norms.
• Tip: look for busy places with locals and follow any ordering customs.

7. Use hotel concierge to arrange visits to small cultural institutions

• Think local museums, artist studios, community theaters, neighborhood cultural centers.
• Immersion: learn context, see local artists, attend small performances.
• Tip: prioritize lesser-known venues over large tourist museums.

8. Attend local festivals, religious services, or community events

• Hotels can tell you about calendars and appropriate behavior.
• Immersion: authentic rituals and public life.
• Tip: be respectful — follow dress codes, ask permission before photographing, observe seating/participation rules.

9. Take language micro-lessons with staff or local tutors

• Short sessions with hotel staff or neighborhood tutors help with greetings and cultural idioms.
• Immersion: using local language opens conversations and shows respect.
• Tip: learn how to say “hello,” “thank you,” and a few phrases about food or family.

10. Stay in a locally owned boutique guesthouse or heritage hotel

• These properties are often embedded in the community and run by families with stories to share.
• Immersion: architecture, decor, hosted stories, neighborhood connections.
• Tip: read reviews that mention host engagement and authenticity.

How to ensure authenticity and respect

• Ask who benefits: prioritize activities that pay or support local people directly (artisans, guides, nonprofits).
• Avoid exploitative “culture shows”: choose interactive, educational experiences over staged spectacles.
• Learn and follow local etiquette: dress, photography rules, tipping norms, and behavior in religious sites.
• Tip the right way: ask the hotel or guide how best to compensate hosts or artisans.

Low-cost / low-effort immersion ideas

• Spend an hour in a local café, bakery, or market and observe/talk to shopkeepers.
• Buy a small handmade item and ask the maker about it.
• Read local newspapers or radio in the lobby to pick up current local topics.

If you want, tell me the city or country you’ll be visiting and I’ll suggest 3–5 tailored immersion activities you can arrange from your hotel.